Power plant



R. E.r I AsLEY Oct. 19, 1937.

POWER PLANT Filed July 16, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 ct. 19, 1937. R E LASLEY 2,096,184

POWER PLANT Filed July 16, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 R. E. LASLE'Y Oct. 19, 1937.

POWER PLANT Filed July 16, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Il ll R. E. LASLEY POWER PLANT Oct. 19, 1937.

Filed July 1e, 19:55

5 Sheets-Sheet 4 ..7. LaS/ety- NNW.

Oct. 19, 1937. R. E. I AsLl-:Y 2,096,184

POWER PLANT Filed July 1e, 1935 5 sheets-sheet 5 'm Carbureter a E. E, L {Hfe}- f am Patented Oct. 19, 1937 UN1TED sTATEs PATENT oFFlcE 8 Claims.

This invention relates to` power plants of the gas turbine type disclosed in my co-pending application, Serial No, 23,775, filed May 27, 1935, and one object of the invention is to provide a power plant of the general type referred to above which includes low and high pressure cylinders so arranged that when an explosion takes place in a low pressure cylinder, air will be forced from a chamber of the low pressure cylinder into a companion high pressure cylinder and build up an increased pressure in the high pressure cylinder and thus cause the major portion of combustible mixture to be exploded at a much higher compression ratio, thus greatly increasing the thermo emciency of the plant. 'Ihe work of increased compression being performed adiabatically, greatly contributes to the increased efficiency. This increased compression, of course, greatly increases the velocity of the product of combustion ldischarged from the chambers and resultant kinetic energy of the motive fiuid when the uid is impinged on the blades of the turbine rotor, to be actuated by the product of combustion from both the low and high pressure cylinders.

Another object of the invention is to so arrange the low and high pressure cylinders that both cylinders may be initially charged with air at an even pressure and rich charges of fuel delivered into the two cylinders to form combustible mixtures therein which are to be exploded in proper timed relation to each other so that products 0f combustion from the low pressure cylinder will be rst delivered to the turbine for rotating the turbine and products of combustion then delivered to the turbine from the high pressure cylinder.

Another object of the invention is to so form the low pressure cylinder that a plurality of chambers will be formed therein, one of which is to be charged with a combustible mixture and the other with substantially pure air which is to be forced into the high pressure cylinder when the combustible mixture in the low pressure cylinder is exploded and thus make it unnecessary to provide other less eflicient means for building up pressure in the high pressure cylinder.

Another object of the invention is to so arrange and construct the low and high pressure cylinders that when explosions take place the products 0f combustion from the two cylinders will be all delivered through a discharge nozzle into an inlet spout of a turbine casing and air taken up and added to the products of combustion and, by reason of the difference in the specific heat of atmospheric air and the product of combustion, retain the heat energy in the motive uid at such weight and temperature that the turbine will be rotated efficiently at very high speed and without danger of the turbine being damaged by overheating.

Another object of the invention is to provide the 5 power plant'with low and high pressure cylinders having their outlets for products of combustion provided with an improved arrangement of valves for controlling flow of gases through the outlets.

Another object of the invention is to provide low and high pressure combustion chambers provided with fuel pump plungers so arranged as to be actuated by air pressure in such time and manner as to inject fuel into and mix with the air in the chambers in timed and metered relation to the lling of the chambers with air and, simultaneously with the completion of fuel injection, to apply ignition thereto.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a View showing the improved power plant partially in elevation and partially in longitudinal section. Y

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken transversely through the power plant along the line 2--2 of 25 Figure 1`.

Figure 3 is an enlarged view showinga pressure cylinder of the power plant in longitudinal section.

Figure 4 is 'a similar view of a low pressure cylinder.

Figure 5 is a sectional view showing amodified arrangement o f. companion lhigh and low pressure cylinders. l l

Figure 6 is `asectional view" taken transversely through the discharge nozzle along the line 6 6 A of lFigure 5. v

Figure 7 is a sectional view through the fuel distributer. y

Figure 8 is a sectional View upon an enlarged scale taken longitudinally through the mechanism for controlling the supply of fuel.

This improved power plant has a plurality of low pressure cylinders I and companion high pressure cylinders 2, which in Figure 2 have been shown arranged in a circular path with each high pressure cylinder disposed at one side of its companion low pressure cylinder in transverse spaced relation thereto. Necks 3 and 4 extend from confronting side portions of the companion cylin- 50 ders and are secured in abutting relation to each other by a clamping ring 5 and at the abutting ends of the necks is mounted a perforated partition 6 carrying a valve disc 'l having its stem 8 encircled by a spring 9 which yieldably holds the 55 rear end thereof.

valve closed but permits the valve to be moved to an opened position when subjected tothe force of an explosion in the low pressure cylinder. It will thus be seen that each high pressure cylinder communicates with its companion low pressure cylinder through a valve controlledpassage or conduit and that the force of an explosion within the low pressure cylinder may open the valve to permit air under pressure to be forced into the high pressure cylinder to build up pressure therein but when an explosion takes place in the high pressure cylinder, the valve will prevent the force of this explosion passing to the low pressure cylinder.

The cylinders are disposed about a drum/or manifold having front and rear chambers I8` and II defined by a partition I2 having a large opening I3 formed therein to establish communication between the chambers but at times closed by a valve I4, the stem I5 of which projects forwardly out of the chamber II and through an elbow I6 winch is secured to the manifold at the Thisvalve stem is slidable through a bearing I1 and packing gland I8 and at its protruding rear or outer end carries a contact I9 which engages a stationary contact 20 when the valve is in position to close the opening I3 and closes a circuit through a motor 33' for a starting blower to be hereinafter referred to. This arrangement keeps the circuit for the motor 33 closed until pressure of air in the chamber forces the valve I4 back from the opening I3, at which time the circuit is broken and operation of the motor 33 and the starting blower stops. Necks 2i and 22 extend radially of the drum from the chambers I0 and Il of the manifold and are coupled to ends of necks 23 and 24 leading from the heads 25 and 26 of the high and low pressure cylinders, and upon referring to Figures 3 and 4 it will be seen that perforated partitions 21 are secured between the abutting ends of the necks when the necks are clamped to each other by rings 28. A valve 29 is carried by each of the partitions 21 and yieldably held closed by a spring 30 and, therefore, while air may force its way through the conduits formed by the united necks to fill the cylinders, the force of an explosion cannot work back through'the conduits to the manifold. I have, therefore, provided an arrangement wherein air may be delivered to the low and high pressure cylinders at an even pressure and when an explosion takes place in the low pressure cylinder, air is forced therefrom into the high pressure cylinder to greatly build up the pressure in the high pressure cylinder.

In order to supply air under pressure to the manifold and from the manifold to the cylinders, there has been' provided a starting compressor 3| and a main or working compressor 32. These compressors are in the form of rotary fans and the starting compressor has a shaft 33 which will have rotary motion transmitted to it by the electric motor 33 having circuit wires leading to the contacts I9 and 28 so that when the valve I4 is moved away from the partition I 2 to uncover the opening I3, the contact I9 will be moved away from the contact 20 and the starting motor shut oil. The contact I9 and valve stem may be manually shifted to close the switch formed by the contacts I9 and 28 when the starting motor is ered into the chamber vIl or the manifold. and

in thefcoupling is mounted a butterfly valve 38 y the main compressor, air which is delivered from.Y

the main compressor through the conduit 31 and elbow 38 into the chamber III, will pass from. the

chamber Ill linto the chamber II, as well as through the conduits leading from the chamber I0 to the high pressure cylinders and air at an even pressure will be delivered to all of the cylinders. v

Each of the low pressure cylinders consists of front and rear sections 38 and 48 which are held in alinement with each other by a clamping ring 4I and between the adjoining ends .of these sections is disposed a partition 42 formed with perf-orations 43 which are distributed throughout the area of the partition, as shown` in Figure 4 and taper so as to provide flaring openings establishing communication between a combustion chamber 44 formed by the rear section 48 'and anvair chamber 45 formed by the section 39 of the cylinder. There has also been provided a perforated partition 48 between the abutting portions of the section 39 and the head 26 of the low pressure cylinder to prevent uneven yielding of air from products of combustion pressure which would cause turbulence. The partition 48 is held in place when the clamping ring 41 is tightened and attention is called to the fact that the openings of the partition 46 are of an even diameter instead of being tapered. A neck 48 extends outwardly from the center of the head 25 and 'to this neck is secured a coupling 49 which holds a valve 50 in place and.,r is engaged by a fuel pipe 5I. It will thus be seen that vaporized fuel may pass inwardly through the coupling 49 and the neck 48 to enter an elongated tubular nozzle 52 but the valve 50 will prevent the force of an explosion from passing outwardly through the neck and coupling. The tubular nozzle extends axially of the low pressure cylinder through openings formed at centers of the partitions 42 and 46 and'has a tapered endportion 52' extending from the partition 42 toward the outer or rear end of the combustion chamber and this tapered portion of the nozzle is perforated in order that the Vaporlzed fuel may be discharged toward all portions of the combustion chamber to mix with air in the chamber during operation of the power plant.

The head 53 at the rear end of the cylinder is formed with a discharge neck 54 which is located centrally of the head and the head is secured to the cylinder section 48 by a clamping ring 53. A valve 55 which controls passage of fuel into the discharge neck has its stem 56 slidably mounted through a bearing 51 in the neck and at its outer end carries an auxiliary valve 58 engaged by a spring 59 mounted in a cap 80 carried by the outer end of the neck. This cap is formed with an air passage 8| and from an inspection of Figure 4 it will be seen that when the valve 55 is moved to a.

closed position by the initial force of an explosion in the combustion chamber, the valve 58 will be opened 4so that air may enter the discharge neck through the opening 6I and through the opening 62 which is normally closed by the valve 58 and pass out through passages 63 formed longitudinally through the discharge nozzle 64. This discharge nozzle has a plurality of passages 63 arranged about a central passage 65, in the inner end of which is fitted a. tube 66 which extends diametrioally through the discharge neck and has one end portion projecting from the neck and terminating in a flared mouth 61 into which extends a tube or pipe 68 which is secured through the head 53 in radial spaced relation to the neck 54. 'I'his pipe or tube 68 has a portion 68' which extends to and is secured through the center of the head 69 of the high pressure cylinder 2 and, therefore, the exhaust from the high pressure cylinder, as well as the initial exhaust from the low pressure cylinder, may pass through the tube 66 and out through the central passage of the nozzle 64. 'I'he nozzle 64 extends into the i'lared end of a spout 10 leading radially from a casing 1i in which is mounted a turbine rotor 12 carried by the shaft 13 of the main compressor and also constituting the main power take-off shaftof the power plant. It is to be understood that each Vlow pressure cylinder has its discharge nozzle extending into a flared spout 10 of the turbine 'casing so that when the power plant is in operation, the productions of combustion discharged from all of the cylinders will act upon the vanes of the rotor 12 and impart rotary motion to the rotor and main shaft. By forming the discharge neck and the tubes 66 and 68 and nozzle 6d, as shown, the products of combustion will draw air through the internal passages 63 and also through the external passages 63, which air becomes intermingled with the products of combustion, thus adding weight and also maintaining the products of combustion at such a temperature that, as they pass from the spout 10 into the turbine casing across the blades or vanes of the rotor, the rotor will be turned over at a very high speed and without danger of the rotor being damaged by excessive heat.

In order to supply gaseous fuel to the cylinders, there has been provided a distributer 14. This distributer is mounted at the front of the power plant and is bolted or otherwise firmly secured to the manifold. The fuel pipes |`of the low pressure cylinders and the fuel pipes 15 of the high pressure cylinders extend from peripheral portions of the distributer and are alternately arranged so that when the nozzle 16 of the distributer is turned about its axis, it will alternately register with passages from which the fuel pipes lead and, therefore, fuel will be first delivered to a low ,pressure cylinder and then a companion high pressure cylinder. 'I'he shaft 11 which carries the nozzle 16 is journaledin the distributer casing and is connected by gearing 18 with a drive shaft 19 which extends into the manifold and carries a disc or wheel 86 formed with diagonally extending openings which move into and out of registry with openings formed in a partition. 8| during rotation of the disc. This partition is disposed midway the width of an opening which establishes communication between the coupling or elbow 38 and the manifold and there has been provided a valve 82 mounted for movement into a position to control passage of air from the elbow into the manifold. By properly setting the valve, proportionate quantities of the air may be allowed to pass directly into the chamber I0 of the manifold and other portions caused to pass through the openings of the partition 8| and through the diagonally extending openings of the disc to rotate the disc andshaft 19 from or front end of the cylinder.

which rotary motion will be transmitted to the shaft 11 and thus cause the distributer nozzle16 to move at a desired speed. A tube 83 which leads from the coupling 35 below the valve 36 and enters the manifold in front of the partition is provided in order that when the starting compressor is in operation, air may pass through this pipe or tube to the manifold and through openings of the disc or rotor 80 to operate the shaft 19. It will thus be seen that as the rotor or disc 80 is rotated by air entering the manifold, the speed at which the shaft 11 and nozzle 16 move will be controlled by flow of air into the manifold and the fuel will be fed to the cylinders in timed and correct proportionate relation to flow of air into the cylinders. This is accomplished by adjusting the valve 82 so as to allow the proper proportion of air to pass through the timer and the distributor turbine su to rotate the distributor once during the time it takes to fill one chamber with air. If the air pressure varies, the speed of the turbine will vary accordingly. The tube 15 communicates with a coupling 84 carried by the neck 8.5 of the high pressure cylinder and an inwardly opening valve 86 which is yieldably held closed by a spring 81 is disposed between the coupling and the nozzle 98 so that while fuel may be discharged into the high pressure cylinder, danger of loss of compressionand back firing through the tube 15 will be eliminated.

.The timer 89 is carried by the distributer and actuated by the shaft 1.1 and is provided with a suitable number of terminals 90 from which conductors 9| and 92 lead; These conductors are connected to the spark plugs 93 and 94 of they low and high pressure cylinders and as the movable contact or terminal of the distrlbuter is carried by or actuated from the shaft 11, the spark plug will be energized in proper timed relation to charging of the cylinders with air and fuel and the companion low and high pressure cylinders Will be red in proper sequence and timed relation to each other. A

'Ihe tank 95 which corresponds to the storage' tank for air under pressure forming part of the power plant'covered by the co-pending application has been shown suspended from a highpressure cylinder in centered relation to the cylinders by hangers 96 and air under pressure is fed into this tank by pipes 91 one of which leads from each combustion. The fuel nozzle 88 extends into the v cylinder 2 across the neck 23 and as the fuel is discharged towards the rear end of the high pressure chamber and an explosion occurs practically immediately there will be a certain amount of air in the front end of the cylinder 2 and the neck 23 which is substantially free from fuel, this, being particularly true as the air moves into the cylinder 2 from the neck 23 at high pressure and carries the fuel with it towards the opposite end When the explosion occurs, air is forced from the cylinder2 .through the pipe 91 into the cylinder 95.y A Vpipe |0I leads from the tank 95 and extends rearwardly of the power plant with its rear end engaged in a coupling |02 formed with a side arm or branch in which is secured a pipe |03 leading from the pipe 34 of the blower 3 I. A check valve |04 which is mounted to open into the coupling |02 is provided at the inner end of the side arm of the coupling and, therefore, when the power plant is first started, air may enter the coupling from the branch pipe |03 but when operation of the power plant causes air from the tank 95 to pass through the pipe IOI into the coupling |02, the valve will be held closed and shut oi! communication between the coupling and the pipe |03. From a coupling |02 the air passes through a pipe section |0211 into the vertically extending chamber |05* of a regulator |05. A tube |06 which leads from a carbureter is connected with the lower end of the chamber |05l and a delivery tube |01 leads from the upper end of this chamber to the inlet passage |08 of the distributer. From the inner end of the neck |05b to which the tube |06 is connected extends a vertically disposed nozzle |05c having its upper end enlarged to form a discharge mouth |05c1 which is disposed above the side arm |05e of the chamber to which the pipe section |02 is connected. A valve |051 which tapers downwardly and ilts into the mouth |05d controls flow of gasied fuel from the nozzle |05c and this valve is pivoted to one end of a rocker arm |058. which extends longitudinally in a chamber |0511 formed in the upper portion of the regulator casing. The rocker arm is pivotally mounted by a shaft |051 extending transversely in the chamber |0511 and is pivoted to a stem |051 rising from a diaphragm I051 mounted in the lower chamber |051 of the casing. This diaphragm tends to shift the stem |051 upwardly and rock the arm |05s about its pivot to move the valve |051 towards a closed position, but when vair under pressure entering the chamber |051 through the pipe |05p forces the diaphragm downwardly, pull will be exerted to open the valve. Therefore, flow of gaseous fuel from the nozzle will be controlled by pressure applied to the diaphragm. By adjusting the screw |05m vertically it may act as a stop to engage the diaphragm and cause the valve |051 to remain open a desired extent when the power plant is operating at a predetermined speed. 'There has also been provided a stem |0511' rising from the rocker arm and projecting through the cover |05 so that, when necessary, pressure may be manually applied to the stem to rock the arm |052 about its pivot and move the valve in an opening direction and temporarily supply a richer gas mixture. It will be readily seen that air entering the chamber |05n through the elbow at the bottom thereof will pass upwardly about the nozzle |05c and create a suction through the nozzle and the tube |06 so that vaporized fuel will be drawn out of the nozzle to mix with the air and form a veryrich fuel mixture which passes upwardly .through the pipe |01 into the passage |08 from which it enters the hub of the distributer 16 and ilow from the distributer into the pipes 5| and 15 during operation of the power plant. K

When this power plant is in operation, the contact I9 is manually shifted into engagement with the contact 20 to close a circuit through the motor 33 and set the starting compressor in motion and air passes through the elbow 34 and coupling 35 into the chamber I I of the manifold. Air from this chamber is prevented from entering the chamber I0 by the valve I4 which is Amoved into closing relation to the opening I3 when the contact I9 is normally moved into engagement with the contact 20 and, therefore, the air in the chamber passes through the necks 22 and 24 after forcing the valves 29 open and enters the low pressure cylinders. The air completely lls the low pressure cylinders and as a portion of the air 'passes through the tube 83 to operate the rotor 80, the distributer will be actuated to feed kgaseous fuel to the nozzlev 52 of each low pressure cylinder. A portion of the air passes through the" necks 3 and 4 to illl the high pressure cylinder and since the outlet pipes 50 and 50' are formed of small tubing of' much less diameter than the inlet, the high pressure cylinder and the low pressure cylinder will be illled with air which is at an even pressure and preferably at a pressure of fifteen pounds per square inch. When an explosion takes place in the combustion chamber of a low pressure cylinder, the initial force of the explosion closes the valve 55 and the expansion which takes place will cause a portion of the products of combustion to pass through the fiar-- ing openings 43 of the partition 42 and act upon the air in the chamber 45 to forc'e air from this chamber through the necks 3 and 4 into the high pressure cylinder. Although a certain quantity of the products of combustion may be mixed with the air, it will not be enough to interfere with proper operation of the power plant. Therefore, the pressure in the high pressure cylinder will be built ,up from fifteen pounds per square inch to approximately sixty pounds, and when the spark plug 94 is energized, the combustible mixture in the high pressure cylinder will be exploded and discharged through the pipe 69 with great force. During the time the force of the explosion in the combustion chamber of the low pressure cylinder is forcing air under pressure into the high pressure cylinder, the valve 55 Will be closed and products of combustion will pass through the pipe 68 and through the tube 66 to the center passage of the nozzle 64, but when the initial force of the explosion in the combustion chamber has expanded itself to a predetermined pressure, the valve 55 will be again opened and the valve 50 will be closed so that air no longer enters the discharge neck through the opening 52. Therefore,

the products of combustion will leave the cham ber 44 through the neck 54 and pass out through the passages 63 of the nozzle and as the explosion in the high pressure cylinder takes place immediately after the pressure has been built up in the high pressure cylinder and the valve 55 again opened, products of combustion from the high pressure cylinder will be passing through the center passage of the nozzle. Air is mixed with the products of combustion through the ilared end 61 of thetube 66 and also through side passages 53 of the nozzlel and through the ared end of the spout 10, thus adding weight to the products of combustion and establishing a desired temperature which will permit the products of combustion to act upon the blades of the turbine and rotate this turbine without its blades being damaged by excessive heat. As the turbine rotates, the main or working compressor will -be set in motion to force air through the pipe 31 and the elbow 38 into the chamber I0 of the manifold and this air will pass through the necks 2| and 23 into the high pressure cylinders. The pressure gradually builds up until the valve I4 is moved to an opened position and as the contact I9 will be moved out of engagement with the contact I5, the circuit for the motor of the starting compressor will be opened and operation of the starting fed from the manifold to both the low pressure` and high pressure cylinders at a pressure of approximately fifteen pounds per square inch and gaseous fuel delivered into the combustion chamber of the low pressure cylinder through the nozzle 52 where it will mix with the air and form a combustible mixture which is immediately exploded by the spark plug 93. When this mixture explodes the valve 55 is shut and the expanding gases move through the openings .of the partition d2 to drive the air out of the compartment 45 and through the necks 2i and 2S into the high pressure cylinder to build up the pressure of' air from fifteen to sixty pounds. As previously explained, a portion` of the products of combustion pass through the outlet tube 68 and-through the tube 65 and the passage 55 of the nozzle into the spout 'dil and as the pressure in the chamber de is reduced, the valve 55 again opens so that the remaining products of combustion may pass directly through the neck d and through the passages 53 cf the nozzle. The air under high pressure is prevented from escaping from one end of the high pressure cylinder by the valves 'l and 29 and the small diameter of the tube t5' prevents material reduction ofthe pressure before gaseous fuel is discharged into the high pressure cylinder through the nozzle @t to intermingle with the high pressure air and form a combustible mixture which explodes with great force when the spark plug @d is energized. lThis explosion of the combustible mixture'in the high pressure cylinder takes place at approximately the time the pressure in the combustion chamber of the low pressure cylinder has been reduced to a point at which the valve 55 opens and the products of combustion pass through the pipe 58 and the tube 55. The products of combustion which are discharged through the neck 5d, tube 5t, and nozzle GQ pick up an approximately equal weight of air and the turbine i2 will be rotated at high speed without likelihood of' damage due to overheating. The capacity of the chamber d5 is substantially the same as the capacity of the high pressure cylinder and, therefore, when air in the chamber d5 is forced into the high pressure cyl l inder, the air in the high pressure cylinder will be under very high pressure. V'vfhile it'has been stated that theinitial pressure of air in the two cylinders is approximately iifteen pounds to the square inch and is built up to sixty pounds in the high pressure cylinder, it will be understood that other initial pressures could-be employed and the pressure built up to any pressure desired. This power plant is so constructed that when it is initially put in operation, the low pressure cylinders serve as starting cylinders and after pressure has been built up suiliciently to move the valve i4 out of closing relation to the passage i3 in the partition I 2, air and gaseous fuel is fed 'to all of the cylinders and the low and high pressure cylinders successively fired in proper timed relation to each other so that the products of combustion discharged from the highpressure cylinders will be discharged through the tubel 68' slightly laterthan dischargeof products of com'- bustionfrom the low pressure cylinders. All of the products of combustion are discharged through the nozzle or air injector 65 and air passes through the passages 63 when-the valve 55 is closed and the valve 58 opened, while only products of combustion pass through the passages 63 when the valve 55 again opens and the valve 58 is closed. When the valve 58 is closedthe air is drawn inwardly through the ared mouth` 61 of the tube 56 and into the spout 10 about the nozzle of the injector.

In Figure 5 there has been shown a modied construction wherein the high pressure cylinders H09 are carried by the low pressure cylinders H0 1 and each communicates with its companion low pressure cylinder through conduits iiiformed by united necks projecting toward each other from the cylinders and secured by a clamping ring H2 with. a valve M3 disposed between the connected ends of the necks. This valve opens toward the high pressure cylinder and is yieldably held closed by'a spring i ifi.' The high pressure cylinders 09 do not have direct communication with the manifold from which air passes through the connected neclns li5`and H6 into the low pressure-cylinder past the valvev ill which is yieldably held closed and opens toward the low pressure cylinders. It' will thus be seen that a power plant provided with the arrangement of low and high pressure cylinders shown in Figure 5 may have twice as many low pressure cylinders as shown in Figure 2 and that each low pressure cylinder will carry a high pressure cylinder which receives its supply of air through the companion low pressure cylinder instead of directly from the manifold. The cylinders which receive their supply of air from the chamber il of the manifold will serve as starting cylinders and the remaining cylinders will not receive air direct from a compressor until-the. main compressor has gained sumcient speed to supply them through the chamber it. When the main compressor has gained sumcient speed to move the valve id away from the partition i2 all of the cylinders will be charged with air from the main compressor during operation of the power plant. Attention is further called to the -fact that in this embodiment of the invention the fuel tube iid which corresponds to the fuel tube i5 leads to a valve housing H9 projecting. from the head i2@ of the low pressure cylinder. A valve block iti is slidably mounted in the housing l it for movement from the closed position shown in this hgure in which it blocks ends of the fuel tubes or pipes iid and 22 to an open. position in which it is moved outwardly and permits fuel to pass from the tube M8 to the tube 822 and ow from this tube into the nozzle 23 for discharge into the high pressure cylinders. A plunger 62d which is slidably mounted in a chamber H25 formed in the valve housing iid. is yieldably held in the position shown in Figure 5 by a spring i2@ and the stem of this valve projects outwardly and is curved as shown so that it may have connection with the valve i2 i. It will thus be seen that when an explosion takes place in the combustion chamber i2? of the low pressure cylinder and air is forced from., the chamber v82d of 'this cylinder through the conduit i ii into the high pressure cylinder, the air pressure will cause the plunger to be moved against action of the spring i 26 to open the valve l2i and allow fuel to pass through the tube B22 for discharge from the nozzle E23. As soon as pressure in the chamber 28 has been reduced sufficiently, the spring will return the plunger 12d forced under high pressure from'the chamber |28 into the high pressure cylinder.. -There has also been provided an arrangement for controlby a coupling |30 to the tube |3| leading to the flared end of the tube |32. y The coupling is a T-coupling and through its outer end slidably re- Y ceives a valve plunger |33, the outer end of which is pivoted to the forked upper end of a rocker bar |34 disposed vertically and pivoted in spaced relation tol its-lower or inner end to a bracket |30 carried by and extending longitudinally from the discharge neck |33 of the low pressure cylinder. 'I'he inner end of the rocker bar is also forked and has pivotal connection with the outer end of a plunger |31 which projects outwardly through the cap |33 of the discharge neck and at its inner end is connected to the outer end of the stem |33 carrying the valve |40 and valve |4|. It willL be readily understood that when the valve |40 is closed by the initial force of an explosion in the combustion chamber |21 and the valve 4| moved to an open position so that air may enter the discharge neck through the central opening of the cap, the rocker bar |34 is opened.

will befswung about its pivot to move the valve plunger |33 inwardly and close theupper end of the tube |3I.' Therefore, air may not escape through the tubes |29 and |3| and air may be built up to high pressure in the cylinder |03. 'I'he tension on the valve spring |40 determines how low the pressure must drop before the valve |40 it also closes the valve |33. As pressure is balanced between the low and high pressure cylinders |20 and |03, fuel isA-injected into the high pressure chamber and ignited just as the pressure in the chamber |28 subsides, which allows the valve |40 to be opened by the spring on the valve |4| which also opens the plunger valve |33 at the same time that an explosion takes place ,in the high pressure cylinder and the plunger valve |33 will be moved to the position shown in Figure 5 to uncover the upper end of the tube |3| and permit the-products of combustion to pass through the tube |3|. If, for any reason, opening of the valve |40 should be slightly delayed, the force of the explosion in the high pressure cylinder will act against the inner end of the valve plunger |33 to move it to an open position and allow the products of combustion to escape through the tube |3I. As the operation of this embodiment of the invention is substantially the Asame as previously described, `it is thought that it will be fully understood and need not be set forth in detail.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. In a power plant, a manifold, a compresso for delivering air to said manifold, a shaft for said compressor having a turbine operatively associated therewith, companion low and high pressure cylinders having valve controlled communication with said manifold whereby the cylinders may be lled with air under low pressure, a partition dividing the low pressure cylinder intoan air chamber and a combustion chamber, said partition having openings aring towards the air chamber whereby combustion products may enter the air chamber as a mass, means for delivering charges of fuel into the combustion chamber of the low pressure cylinder to mix with air therein and form a combustible mixture, means for ex- .ploding the mixture, valve controlled communication being provided between the high pressure cylinder and the air chamber of the low pressure When the explosion closes the valveV acecha-fv cylinder whereby a mass of combustion products entering the air chamber through the openings of the partition may force air from the air chambervof. the low pressure cylinder into the high jproducts of combustion from. the cylindersand effecting ymixture of air therewith and delivering the mixture to the turbine for rotatingthe turbine, a valve for controlling passage of products of combustion from the low pressure cylinder, and a valve for the high pressure cylinder actuated by the valve of the low' pressure cylinder to control gas discharged from the high pressure cylinder.

2. In a power plant, amanifold, a compressor for delivering air to said manifold having a drive shaft equipped with a driving turbine, companion` low and high pressure cylinders receiving air underv low pressure from said manifold, a'transverse partition dividing the low pressure cylinder into an air chamber and a' combustion chamber, said partition having openings flaring towards ther air chamber whereby combustione-products may enter the air chamber from the combustion chamber as a. mass, means for. delivering charges of fuel -into the combustion chamber to -mix with air..

therein and. form a combustible mixture,means for exploding the mixture, a valve controlled conduit connecting the high pressure cylinder with the air chamber of the low pressure cylinder and having its valve opening towards the high pressure cylinder whereby 'av mass of combustion products created by an explosion in the combustion chamber and enteringy the airv chamber through the openings of the partition may force air from the air chamber through the conduit into thehigh pressure cylinder to build up'pressure therein, means for delivering fuel into -the high pressure cylinder as pressure is built up in the high pressure cylinder, means for firing the.

high pressure cylinder, and means for conducting products of combustion from said cylinders to said turbine for operating the turbine.

3. In a power plant, a manifold, a compressor for delivering air to said manifold having a drive shaft equipped with a driving turbine, companion low and high pressure cylinders having valve controlled inlets connectedl 'with said manifold whereby air under low pressure may be fed from them'anifold into the cylinders, a valve controlled conduit connecting said cylinders and having its valve opening towards the high pressure cylinder whereby air may pass from the low pressure cylinder into the high pressure cylinder, a partition dividing the low pressure cylinder to provide an air chamber having the said valve controlled con- -duint leading therefrom and a combustion chamber, said partition having openings whereby a mass of expanding gases resulting from an explosion in the combustion chamber may enter the air chamber and force `air therefrom into the high. pressure cylinder to .build up pressure therein, means for delivering fuel into the combustion chamber of the lowzpressure cylinder to form a combustible mixture, means for fixing the mixture, means for delivering fuel into the high pressure cylinderA as pressureis built up therein, means for ring the high pressure cylinder, a discharge neck for the low pressure cylinder having its inner endv communicating with the cylinder and having its u flared outer end, exhaust tubes leading from said cylinders to the flared end of the last mentioned tube, and an inlet tube for the turbine having a flared end about said nozzle.

4. In a power plant, a turbine to be driven by the exhaust from cylinders, and companion low and high pressure cylinders, a perforated partition extending transversely in the low pressure cylinder to form an air chamber and a combustion chamber, said cylinders having air inlets controlled by inwardly opening valves, the air chamber of the low pressure cylinder being connected with the high pressure cylinder by a conduit controlled by a Valve opening toward the high pressure cylinder, means for delivering fuel into the combustion chamber of the low pressure cylinder to form a combustible mixture, means for iiring contents of the combustion chamber and creating an explosion serving to drive air out of the lair chamber into the high pressure cylinder, the products of combustion then escaping through the exhaust of the low pressure cylinder, means for delivering fuel into the high pressure cylinder as air is driven therein from the low pressure cylinder and form a combustible mixture, means for ring the combustible mixture in the high pressure cylinder, and means for conducting exhausting products of combustion from the high and low pressure cylinders to the turbine for driving the turbine.

5. In a power plant, a turbine adapted to be driven by exhaust from cylinders, and companion low and high pressure cylinders, the low pressure cylinder being divided by a transversely extending perforated partition to form an air chamber and a combustion chamber, the perforations being flared towards the air chamber, said cylinders having air inlets controlled by inwardly opening valves, means for delivering fuel into the combustion chamberof the low pressure cylinder to mix with air and form a combustible mixture, means for ring contents'of the combustion chamber, the air chamber of the low pressure cylinder being connected with the high pressure cylinder by a' conduit controlled by a valve opening toward the high pressure cylinder whereby a mass of gases resulting from an explosion in the combustion chamber and moving through the flared openings into the air chamber may force air from the air chamber into the high pressure cylinder to build up pressure therein, meansfor delivering fuel into the high pressure cylinder as air is forced therein from the low pressure cylinder and form a combustible mixture, means for exploding the combustible mixture in the high pressure cylinder, and means,

for conducting products of combustion from the cylinders to the turbine for driving the turbine. 6. In a power plant, a turbine adaptedto be driven by exhausts from cylinders, and companion low and high pressure cylinders having controlled means associated with their exhaust outlets for delivering productsof combustion to the turbine for rotating the turbine, means dividing the low pressure cylinder into an air chamber and a combustion chamber and being formed with perforations iiaring towards the air chamber, the air chamber having valve controlled communication with the high pressure cylinder and having a valve controlled air inlet, means for delivering fuel into the combustion chamber to mix with air therein and form a combustible mixture, means to fire contentsof the combustion chamber and create a'mass of expanding gases which enter the air chamber through the iiaring perforations and serve to force air from the air chamber into the high pressure cylinder and build up pressure therein, means for delivering fuel into the high pressure cylinder as air is forced therein from the air chamber, and means for firing contentsnof the high pressure cylinder.

7. In a power plant, a turbine adapted to be driven byexhausts from cylinders, and companion low and high pressure cylinders having controlled means associated with their exhaust loutlets for delivering products of combustion to the turbine forv rotating the turbine, a partition dividing the low pressure cylinder into a combustion chamber and an air chamber, the air chamber having valve controlled communication with the high pressure cylinder, the partition being formed with a multiplicity of perforations aring towards the air chamber whereby expanding gases resultingfrom an explosion in the combustion chamber may enter the air chamber and move through the air chamber as a mass to drive air under pressure into the high pressure cylinder and build up pressure therein, means for delivering fuel into the combustion chamber to mix with air therein and form a combustible mixture; means for firing contents of the combustion chamber, means for delivering fuel into the high pressure cylinder as air is forced therein from the air chamber and mix with airto form a combustible mixture, and means for ring contents of the high pressure cylinder.

8. In a power plant, a turbine adapted to b e driven by exhausts from cylinders, and comlio panion low and high pressure cylinders lhaving controlled means associated with their exhaust outlets for delivering products of combustion to the turbine for rotating the turbine, a perforated partition dividing the low pressure cylinder into a. combustion chamber and an air chamber, the air chamber having valve controlled communication with the high pressure cylinder, the perforations of the partition being iiared towards from the outer end of the low pressure cylinder and through said partition into the combustion chamber axially of the cylinder and both chambers, the portion of the nozzle in the combustion chamber extending longitudinally thereof for a major portion of the length of the combustion chamber and being tapered from the partition and perforated whereby fuel will be sprayed from the nozzle to mix with air in the combustion chamber and form a combustible mixture, means .for firing contents of the combustion chamber,

means for delivering fue] into the high pressure cylinder as air is forced therein from the air chamber and to mix with air therein and form a combustible mixture, and means for ring contents of the high pressure cylinder.

ROBERT E. LASLEY. 

